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An interesting piece from the Fargo Forum (sub. site but it is free):
http://www.in-forum.com/ap/index.cfm...w&id=D8QVLJCG0
Allure of the big time captures fancy of Division II schools
By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer
BROOKINGS, S.D.
"Ticker envy" - the desire to appear with the likes of big-time football powers such as Ohio State, Texas and Nebraska on TV score updates - can be irresistible to Division II schools hoping to make names for themselves on the biggest stage in college athletics.
And while that may not be the motivation for all, schools such as New Haven, Presbyterian and South Dakota State are among seven in the process of moving to Division I, joining 15 others that have begun the transition since 2003-04.
Awaiting those schools are greater opportunities for revenue, whether it's from fat paychecks for playing football road games against BCS powers or from NCAA basketball tournament-fueled revenue distributions.
Sure, there are added costs - millions of dollars' worth, in fact - for day-to-day operations and upgrading facilities.
The pros outweigh the cons, longtime South Dakota State athletic director Fred Oien says, because, ultimately, college sports are about image and "who you run around with."
North Dakota State University announced in 2002 that it was moving to Division I. Athletic director Gene Taylor said the move was about academics.
"Certainly being able to see your score roll across with some of the others was a way to get the recognition out there," Taylor said. "But our intial reason was getting on board with the same athletic advancments as we were academically."
The University of North Dakota announced its move to Division I last year.
"As we looked at it, it has more to do with, 'Are you competing with the schools that are more like you, in terms of size and willingness to invest in the program?'" athletic director Tom Buning said. "You want your competition to be strong so people are interested in coming to the games. If they come to the games, then you end up with the financial support that allows you to do that." . . . (read more)
Go State!
http://www.in-forum.com/ap/index.cfm...w&id=D8QVLJCG0
Allure of the big time captures fancy of Division II schools
By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer
BROOKINGS, S.D.
"Ticker envy" - the desire to appear with the likes of big-time football powers such as Ohio State, Texas and Nebraska on TV score updates - can be irresistible to Division II schools hoping to make names for themselves on the biggest stage in college athletics.
And while that may not be the motivation for all, schools such as New Haven, Presbyterian and South Dakota State are among seven in the process of moving to Division I, joining 15 others that have begun the transition since 2003-04.
Awaiting those schools are greater opportunities for revenue, whether it's from fat paychecks for playing football road games against BCS powers or from NCAA basketball tournament-fueled revenue distributions.
Sure, there are added costs - millions of dollars' worth, in fact - for day-to-day operations and upgrading facilities.
The pros outweigh the cons, longtime South Dakota State athletic director Fred Oien says, because, ultimately, college sports are about image and "who you run around with."
North Dakota State University announced in 2002 that it was moving to Division I. Athletic director Gene Taylor said the move was about academics.
"Certainly being able to see your score roll across with some of the others was a way to get the recognition out there," Taylor said. "But our intial reason was getting on board with the same athletic advancments as we were academically."
The University of North Dakota announced its move to Division I last year.
"As we looked at it, it has more to do with, 'Are you competing with the schools that are more like you, in terms of size and willingness to invest in the program?'" athletic director Tom Buning said. "You want your competition to be strong so people are interested in coming to the games. If they come to the games, then you end up with the financial support that allows you to do that." . . . (read more)
Go State!
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